'AGT' finalist's emotional performance after death of her father

Thirteeen-year-old Evie Clair took the stage as one of the 10 finalists on America’s Got Talent despite a recent family tragedy. Her father had been battling colon cancer and his condition worsened throughout the competition. He was recently taken off life support and died with his family surrounding him. But that wasn’t going to stop Evie from finishing the competition. “My dad taught me after I started something to always finish it,” she said. “That’s why I’m fighting till the end just like he did.”

Evie’s song “What a Wonderful World” was a touching and bittersweet tribute to her father. Howie Mandel offered his encouragement and admiration when she was done.

“I cannot believe the strength that I’m seeing in such a beautiful young girl,” he said. “And this is a very dark time in your life. And we all go through dark times. What gets us through is hoping and praying for that light at the end of the tunnel. And your voice and your song and your presence here is that light at the end of the tunnel. So thank you so much.”

Mel B was equally moved not just by Evie’s experience, but also her performance. “I know your dad’s up there looking down on you. And you must be so, so, so, so proud. Because what you just did was beautiful. It was so, like, pure and so raw. Well done.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Evie and her family in this difficult time, and we wish her best of luck in the finale.